The Threefold Walk Of The Believer

The apostle Paul was writing to the Church at Thessalonica and he said to them “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God our Father (1 Thess. 1:3)”; and I thought what a word of encouragement. But the truth is that even as it was spoken to the early church in Thessalonica it still stands today. If we are going to be successful on this Christian journey, we too will need these three characteristics in our lives. The work of faith is imperative because this Christian walk is one that we have to walk by faith. In fact, faith is required to get to heaven. It is the currency coupled with obedience that moves God and without it is impossible to please God.

Secondly, this Christian walk must be a labor of love because if it’s not something you love; if Jesus is not someone you truly love it’s going to be impossible for you to truly be who God would have you to be, not to mention, if it’s not a labor of love you will find yourself serving your own interest in your Christian walk instead of serving God. And the truth is that some do serve their own interest and one day the Lord will call them out for that. Though it must be a labor of love it doesn’t mean we won’t get tired, frustrated or a little weary sometimes. However, it does mean that because it’s a labor of love for us we won’t quit and give up on the promises of God.

Finally, this Christian walk must be done through patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ: meaning that we persevere with the belief and expectation that God is going to fulfill and finish in us the work that He started. Thus, as we walk out this Christian journey in faith and obedience to God the hope is that one day we will hear him say well done thy good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the Lord. It should be the promise of one day being with Christ eternally that keeps us going. It should be knowing that living our best life is not down here on earth, but our best life is yet to come in heaven that give us the hope to continue to serve the Lord faithfully.

God Bless You

Pastor Versal Mason